could they be more self absorbed? Every art form has a period. If it’s classic, it will be relevant, though not contemporary. So what? Anyone in such a capacity should have put aside education, training and savings for future endeavors.

One hundred and fifty years ago music thrived. People brought musical instruments along with them to the farthest reaches of the country, and developed many styles in isolation. People didn't just listen to it, they played it. It was the social interaction of the time.

At the same time the industrial revolution industrialized production. Production was not done by the local blacksmith anymore, it was done by the gigantic factory spitting out identical parts.

And alongside the factory, music was industrialized , by the radio. Suddenly everyone in the country could listen to the same music. And just as suddenly, music was something you didn't participate in, but observed.

And then, the new phase of music began, with the IPod. Suddenly technology could go around the distribution network, and could connect an artist with an audience without going through the music industry selecting what an audience would hear. Does this mean music is dying, or dead? Probably not, but it does mean the music industry is largely irrelevant. The 2020s may be musically more like the 1890s than Led Zepplin's time, fragmented, but innovative to its own audience.

For me it's just been music - some of it really great, but just music. That's what's kept it from being the central problem, or any problem at all. Some of the biggest idiots on the planet are the aged rockers and music journalists who blather on and on about rock being an agent for social change, a social medium, etc.

We had a great thread the other day where a lot of shared YouTube videos of songs back from the 60s, mostly obscure that most of us had never heard before, but were hidden gems....it’s like they say, it’s new, if you’ve never heard it before.

I wish it were true for rap and hip-hop and digitized remixes..ugh. I hear very few original tunes anymore....and with very few exceptions, a good cover.

I’m in my late 50’s now, so maybe I’ve missed something.
One of the few innovators recently (to me anyway) are the Black Keys. And I love Jack Black’s remake of “shakin”. And I’m still a blues fan. So, am I washed up or is there other new stuff out there that actually has merit?

One hundred and fifty years ago music thrived. People brought musical instruments along with them to the farthest reaches of the country, and developed many styles in isolation. People didn't just listen to it, they played it. It was the social interaction of the time.

Well, I hope we're returning to that. Every time I see someone walking down the street with a real musical instrument (saxophone, guitar, flute, violin, etc.) I want to shake his (her) hand. Every time I see someone so absorbed in their iPod that they can't share the sidewalk or make eye contact, I feel like screaming in frustration.

I would say it died sometime back in the early 90s...maybe even late 80s. I listen to everything from Bill Haley & the Comets to AC/DC and Van Halen and all others in between, with the Surfer genre both vocals and also instrumentals only being my favorite. Beach Boys all time favorite group for me followed closely by Jan & Dean. Speaking of which, anyone remember the evening a few summers ago Dean Torrence called the Michael Savage show one summer Friday evening?

Poor feller was bullied for having a second middle name like “Zenon”. Back on RTE TV, he tried to play up the stereotypical “controversial” punk rock image by going after anything Catholic. Just an attention-seeker.

I remember the Boomtown Rats’ last Irish gig in Leixlip Castle, although I didn’t go (didn’t have to; it was loud enough and you could hear it on Main Street). Lots of bloodied-up faces walking up and down the town. The U2 and Police concerts at the same venue were much more dignified.

We’re even further along than that. Everyone is an “artist” now. The participation isn’t limited to musical ability, distribution channels or anything and despite that we have in many cases better quality.

I’ve heard “fans” or audience members cover tunes better and more creatively than the original artist. The 20th century was a control freaks dream century of confluence. My hope is that the 21st century is one of liberty, real liberty.

Have you taken a look at the “virtual school” phenomenon that is taking root in K-12? Here in Louisiana, the teacher’s union has broken out in slobbering fits over the prospect of government schools becoming obsolete.

Silly. Some of us listened for the music. We could care less what they were saying.

I've always liked rock, but the more I learn about politics, and the politics of most musicians, the less I can stand to listen to it because of the insane liberal ideologies they promote (listen to Neil Young's "Rockin In The Free World", especially the last verse. Eff him and his opinion of America).

Suddenly technology could go around the distribution network, and could connect an artist with an audience without going through the music industry selecting what an audience would hear.

I hear ads on the radio that implore people not to download tunes for free (steal the music) and while I agree totally with property rights, I note that the music industry is mostly protecting itself, not the artists. My understanding is that the artists make their money off of touring, which of course you have to pay to see. Since they've promoted socialism and the destruction of private property for so long, it's hard to have any sympathy for them.

And LONG overdue. The idea that all kids have the same learning style is just ludicrous. They need to be exposed to the same idea from different perspectives to fully grasp it. Some (like me) can garner it easily from the printed page. Others need to see it (video) or hear it (audio).

I think what you'll see is course content online, and teachers functioning more as tutors for those who need help grasping certain ideas.

Its dead in the sense that I hear almost nothing new now that I like or resembles Rock and Roll in it heyday. I’m in my mid 50s and used to listen to the radio constantly as a teenager. It was all new stuff—you rarely heard “oldies”. Now when I listen, all the songs are decades old.

Hi, sorry for buttin' in but you had to say 'Neil Young' didn't you. That's one guy that if I ever met, no matter my age, I'd punch his stinking teeth out -- I can afford the $75.00 ticket.

He was just a friggen Canadian busy-body who sounded like a squealing rat when he 'sang'. And I loved it when Lynyrd Skynyrd responded his rotten 'Southern Man' cr@p-song with 'Sweet Home Alabama' (YouTube live concert).

One of my fave Lynyrd Skynyrd songs Call Me The Breeze 1976 Live Concert, playing it now ;-)

Just had the unpleasant experience of informing a business associate what the song Lola was all about. He had no clue after listening to it for decades.

LOL, I have done the same many times. They always get the same look of disbelief when they really pay attention to the words for the first time. I'm sure I looked the same way 25 years ago when someone first informed me.

LOL we own an Internet station and I play Classic Rock and Blues 3 hrs five nights a week!
You would be surprised at the younger Generation that considers it better than Top 40!
It’s out there and still has a great listner base!
Dead? Not by a long shot! Long Live Rock and Roll!

For excellent surf (instrumental) music, may I recommend a Pittsburgh band called The Turbosonics. You can find their page on facebook and they have just released their first CD. They are influenced by Dick Dale and Link Wray. If I can find the site where you can hear clips of their music, I’ll reply again. Right now they all are at work at their day time jobs.

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